Nel extends Edinburgh stay

NEWS: Scotland prop Willem Nel has re-signed with Edinburgh on a three-year deal.

The highly sought-after front row's contract extension will keep him at the capital club until at least May 2020.

Nel joined Edinburgh Rugby in 2012 on a three-year deal, which was subsequently extended, and has made 102 appearances in the black and red since debuting against Munster the same year.

Renowned primarily for his world-class scrummaging, Nel has many strings to his bow and has crossed the whitewash on 15 occasions, scoring 75 points for the capital club.

Nel qualified to play for Scotland through residency in 2015 and went on to make his international debut later that year against Italy in Turin.

He has since been awarded 15 Scotland caps – including appearances in all of the national side’s Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2016 Six Nations matches – scoring two tries in the process.

On penning a new deal with Edinburgh Rugby, Nel said: "I’m delighted to be staying at Edinburgh for another three years. It’s an awesome club and I’m looking forward to continuing to play here.

"These are exciting times for everyone involved and I feel that everything is moving in the right direction. It’s been great to see a lot of young talent coming through this season and hopefully I can help with their development in the coming years.

"I was very glad and honoured that Edinburgh and Scottish Rugby approached me with a new deal and there were no second thoughts on re-signing with the club.

"The city, Edinburgh Rugby and its supporters are very close to my heart, and that was a huge factor in our decision to stay,"

Edinburgh Rugby Acting Head Coach Duncan Hodge, said: " [Nel] is a huge acquisition for the club and Scottish Rugby. It’s fantastic that he has decided to commit his future to Edinburgh Rugby.

"To have a world-class player in a specialised position remaining at the club is a monumental boost to the squad.

"Props often peak late on in their careers and our fans can now look forward to [Nel] entering this stage of his playing days in an Edinburgh Rugby shirt.

"The signing of a long-term contract will also allow our younger players access to an operator of [Nel’s] experience, which will prove hugely beneficial for their personal development and the club going forward,"